Internship Downstream Process Development Scientist Jobs in Columbia, SC

DESCRIPTION
Position Summary
The Electroplating Chemist is responsible for the development, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of advanced electroplating processes and surface treatment of electrodeposited copper foil technologies for high-performance PCB, battery, and advanced electronics applications. This role combines hands-on laboratory work with pilot-scale and manufacturing support to develop new products, improve process capability, and solve complex technical challenges. The position serves as a key technical resource for innovation, product development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Research & Product Development
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop new electroplating bath chemistries, additives, and surface treatment technologies for electrodeposited copper foil manufacturing.
• Develop next-generation plating processes to improve electrical, mechanical, thermal, and surface performance characteristics.
• Investigate new materials, additives, and process technologies to support strategic growth initiatives.
• Lead new product development projects from concept through commercial implementation.
• Develop technical data packages and qualification plans for customer approvals.
Process Development & Scale-Up
• Translate laboratory findings into pilot-scale and production-scale processes.
• Design experiments (DOE) to optimize plating performance and establish process windows.
• Evaluate relationships between plating chemistry, operating conditions, deposit structure, and product performance.
• Support technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing operations.
• Establish process control methodologies and operating specifications for new products.
Technical Problem Solving
• Lead root-cause investigations involving plating defects, contamination events, and process instability.
• Utilize analytical techniques to characterize deposits, surface morphology, and chemical composition.
• Develop corrective actions and long-term solutions for complex technical issues.
• Support customer-facing technical discussions and failure analysis investigations.
Laboratory & Analytical Activities
• Perform chemical analysis and characterization of plating baths and deposits.
• Utilize laboratory equipment to evaluate electrochemical performance, deposit properties, and material characteristics.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, technical reports, and experimental databases.
• Develop new analytical methods to support process development and quality improvement.
Customer & Market Development
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to understand emerging technical requirements and market trends.
• Generate technical presentations and reports for customers, management, and industry partners.
• Participate in technical conferences, industry working groups, and collaborative development programs.
Intellectual Property & Innovation
• Identify opportunities for patentable technologies and process innovations.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments, competitive technologies, and emerging market opportunities.
• Contribute to the company's intellectual property strategy and technology roadmap.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Metallurgy, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on electroplating, electrochemical process development, or surface finishing experience.
• Strong understanding of electrochemistry, electrodeposition mechanisms, and plating process fundamentals.
• Experience designing and executing structured experimental programs.
• Proven ability to analyze technical data and draw actionable conclusions.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Experience developing copper, nickel, tin, silver, gold, or specialty alloy plating systems.
• Experience in electrodeposited copper foil, printed circuit boards, semiconductor, battery materials, or advanced electronics manufacturing.
• Knowledge of adhesion promoters, surface treatments, and foil roughening technologies for PCB laminates.
• Familiarity with analytical tools such as SEM, EDS, XRF, ICP, HPLC, cyclic voltammetry, or surface characterization techniques.
• Experience with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and process modeling.
• Demonstrated record of successful commercialization of new products or processes.
Key Competencies
• Scientific curiosity and innovation
• Experimental design and execution
• Electrochemical process expertise
• Advanced analytical and data-driven problem solving
• Project management and technical leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams
• Technology commercialization
• Safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance
Success Measures
• Successful development and commercialization of new products.
• Reduction in development cycle time.
• Achievement of customer qualification milestones.
• Patent disclosures and intellectual property generation.
• Improvement in product performance and process capability.
• Successful scale-up of laboratory technologies to production.
• Technical leadership in strategic growth programs.
Ideal Candidate Profile
A hands-on electrochemist who enjoys spending time both in the laboratory and on the manufacturing floor, capable of developing novel plating technologies while solving real-world production challenges. This individual combines strong scientific rigor with practical manufacturing experience and has a demonstrated ability to move new technologies from concept to commercial reality. They should be comfortable working across R&D, engineering, quality, and production teams to accelerate product development and process improvement. The candidate should have a working understanding of process control for sequential-step electroplating lines.
REQUIREMENTS
Our Mission.
Securing the materials to build our future.
Materials underpin the technologies that will define the future-from artificial intelligence and advanced electronics to energy and national defense. Principal Mineral is building the systems, capabilities, and markets that will strengthen domestic industrial capacity and secure the critical materials supply chain for generations to come.